The Poker Beat - July 29

[5carab]

Originally Posted by Dan Michalski

btw, we went way long on this ep (clearly BJ is to blame) ... just curious if you all had any thoughts on that. we shoot for 60, obv, but without huff pushing the kill button, we seem to go longer and longer.

I personally will listen for as long as you run (assuming it's not ridiculous - like an hour a day, a two and a half hour show a week, w/e, I will listen to every minute bar the adds which I skip as I have heard them all). Admittedly this probably doesn't make me typical of your listeners, but imo if people are listening to a podcast on poker news, specifically this sort of industry news and with the level of panel that is put together, they should listen to what you have to say, even if it runs long. Heck, if they decide they are bored of a segment it isn't that hard to skip through, you just click the time bar.

Cliff notes (as I have run BJ long on this very short point): I enjoyed the long episode, think you should run as long as is necessary to say what you have to say, always enjoy the Poker Beat and hope it continues as it is. Fantastic show, superb presenters/ panelists/ w/e you guys want as your titles, and thoroughly entertaining (which is pretty impressive given how dry some of the content can/ should be).

[The 6th Wilbury]

By the way, I'm EXTREMELY glad 5carab is taking part in this thread. When I heard about the contest for the WPT on-air commentator and the comparison was made to have a Simon Cowell-type in that spot, I immediately thought of our favorite Brit.

5carab, get your ass in Southern California in mid-August.

[5carab]

Originally Posted by The 6th Wilbury

By the way, I'm EXTREMELY glad 5carab is taking part in this thread. When I heard about the contest for the WPT on-air commentator and the comparison was made to have a Simon Cowell-type in that spot, I immediately thought of our favorite Brit.

5carab, get your ass in Southern California in mid-August.

I have another year of school so I don't really think that I could enter this competition even if I wanted to (which I have to admit, I kinda do).

[The 6th Wilbury]

Originally Posted by 5carab

I have another year of school so I don't really think that I could enter this competition even if I wanted to (which I have to admit, I kinda do).

Well, I'd suggest Jimmy Fricke, but I fully expect him to be playing at a WPT final table, not commenting on it.

(All this said, this could have been a great opportunity for Huff and Stapes if the circumstances were right.)

[5carab]

Originally Posted by The 6th Wilbury

Well, I'd suggest Jimmy Fricke, but I fully expect him to be playing at a WPT final table, not commenting on it.

(All this said, this could have been a great opportunity for Huff and Stapes if the circumstances were right.)

What about Phil Hellmuth? He'd f***ing love being on camera every WPT episode and berating people.

[TeddyKGB]

BJ could you explain or direct us to the "bad actors" amendments that you feel may prevent FT and Stars from getting a license??????????

[Lon VanPatten]

http://financialservices.house.gov/M...Bad_Actors.pdf

[BJ Nemeth]

Originally Posted by TOCurmudgeon

Consider that for this poison pill to work, someone has to prove that illegal gambling has taken place. To date, court law is on the side of the sites in question.

Unfortunately, there's nothing to indicate that the Treasury Department has to prove anything. If someone fails to meet the standards of the Las Vegas Gaming Board (as a comparable example), I'm not familiar with any appeals process or arbitration available. The Board makes their ruling, and that's it.

I expect it to work the same way for online casinos. Stars and Tilt will make their cases, and the Board will make its ruling. That's it.

Someone asked if that would be the end of Tilt & Stars; I hardly think so. There is still a very profitable environment outside of the United States, and both sites have built up very strong brands. However, as someone else mentioned, it may make more financial sense for them to sell off their assets (software & customers) to a company that can operate in the U.S., if such a sale would be allowed by the new legislation.

Originally Posted by TOCurmudgeon

BTW, regarding Dan's needing a license to run his game: Any DJ can tell you that one generally has to take an FCC test to become a radio operator, which has nothing to do with licensing of the stations. The two situations are directly comparable.

This is an excellent example, and I wish I came up with it on the show. The licenses like the one that Dan got are completely different, and more bureaucratic than anything. He didn't undergo a full background check and a hearing in front of a licensing board.

[The 6th Wilbury]

Originally Posted by BJ Nemeth

This is an excellent example, and I wish I came up with it on the show. The licenses like the one that Dan got are completely different, and more bureaucratic than anything. He didn't undergo a full background check and a hearing in front of a licensing board.

Mystery solved: TOCurmudgeon was the Insider.

[5carab]

Originally Posted by BJ Nemeth

Unfortunately, there's nothing to indicate that the Treasury Department has to prove anything. If someone fails to meet the standards of the Las Vegas Gaming Board (as a comparable example), I'm not familiar with any appeals process or arbitration available. The Board makes their ruling, and that's it.

I expect it to work the same way for online casinos. Stars and Tilt will make their cases, and the Board will make its ruling. That's it.

Someone asked if that would be the end of Tilt & Stars; I hardly think so. There is still a very profitable environment outside of the United States, and both sites have built up very strong brands. However, as someone else mentioned, it may make more financial sense for them to sell off their assets (software & customers) to a company that can operate in the U.S., if such a sale would be allowed by the new legislation.

Thanks for the info BJ - any idea on whether US players will be able to play against those of us from countries not run by crazies (ok, we are run by crazies in the UK also, just not crazies who care about online poker... yet...)? I mean, I don't care that I don't get to play the French (although more players is always good), but losing out on the chance to play everyone in America, especially as money can begin getting online, would SUCK!